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Indian Healthcare Workers’ Issues, Challenges, and Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Anahita Ali

    (Faculty of Public Health, Poornima University, Jaipur 303905, India)

  • Santosh Kumar

    (Faculty of Public Health, Poornima University, Jaipur 303905, India)

Abstract

India faced the maximum number of mortalities and morbidities during the second wave of COVID-19. Healthcare workers (HCWs) worked in high-pressure and stressful environments. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the common issues, challenges, and coping strategies of HCWs, as well as the statistical association between demographical characteristics and coping strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 759 HCWs, involving simple, random sampling in Rajasthan, India, between August 2022 and October 2022. Participants responded to a self-administered questionnaire that included a Brief–COPE inventory. The statistical association between commonly adopted coping strategies and demographic characteristics was tested using the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. A total of 669 (88%) respondents agreed that they faced issues during the COVID-19 pandemic: 721 (95%) participants experienced challenges at the personal level, 716 (94%) at the organizational level, and 557 (74%) at the societal level. Problem-focused coping strategies were frequently adopted by the participants. Gender, marital status, education, hours of work per day, and residential area were significantly associated with a problem-focused coping strategy ( p < 0.05). The findings of this study reported a limited use of coping strategies by the participants during the public health crisis, despite facing issues and challenges at work. These findings highlight the need to assist HCWs in developing coping mechanisms to maintain good mental health at work.

Suggested Citation

  • Anahita Ali & Santosh Kumar, 2023. "Indian Healthcare Workers’ Issues, Challenges, and Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3661-:d:1073172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Liqin Zhang & Huhua Cao & Ruibo Han, 2021. "Residents’ Preferences and Perceptions toward Green Open Spaces in an Urban Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Mahaveer Golechha, 2020. "COVID-19, India, lockdown and psychosocial challenges: What next?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(8), pages 830-832, December.
    4. Jing Guo & Xing Lin Feng & Xiao Hua Wang & Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, 2020. "Coping with COVID-19: Exposure to COVID-19 and Negative Impact on Livelihood Predict Elevated Mental Health Problems in Chinese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Adam Duhachek, 2005. "Coping: A Multidimensional, Hierarchical Framework of Responses to Stressful Consumption Episodes," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 32(1), pages 41-53, June.
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